WBCI Education Committee

Members

  • Steve Kupcho (Committee Chair, retired person)
  • Susan Gilchrist (WDNR - Bureau of Integrated Science Services)
  • Barb Duerksen (WSO – Youth Education Coordinator)
  • Korie Klink (ICF – Visitor Programs Coordinator)
  • Joan Garland (ICF – Outreach Programs Coordinator)
  • Dennis Yockers (UW-Stevens Point – WI Center for Environmental Education - Associate Professor)
  • John Stathus (Science Ed. Head - Lake Shore Middle School, Mequon)
  • Ted May (Bayfield County UW-Extension Environmental Educator)
  • Bob Welch (Middle School Science Teacher)

Goal

  • To educate students and teachers across Wisconsin about birds and the conservation issues they face.

Accomplishments

  • Identified key bird education materials and programs appropriate to Wisconsin students preschool through college levels.
  • Conducted a teacher survey to discover how best to deliver bird education to the schools.
  • Developed a Mentor Program that will be initiated in each county to foster an interest in birds, birding, and bird conservation.
  • Developed and began distributing a Bird Education Kit to assist Mentors and educators introducing birds and birding in the field or classroom. Each kit includes 15 pairs of binoculars, a spotting scope and tripod, three field guides, a PowerPoint presentation, a Birds of Wisconsin placemat, and poster of backyard birds.
  • Planned and presented a workshop introducing some key bird education resources to educators.

Current Activities

  • Develop a long-term plan for bird education in Wisconsin.
  • Produce and distribute additional bird education kits.
  • Develop an educator’s activity guide to accompany the bird education kits.
  • Investigate the implementation of Flying WILD, an educator’s guide for celebrating birds, in Wisconsin.

For more information about the Education Committee or to join, please contact

Steve Kupcho, retired person/home guy – 9344 W. Goodrich Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53224, 414-354-0948, skupcho@wi.rr.com.